THE Sockman is set to be used for a new promotional campaign for Loughborough in an attempt to encourage shoppers to buy locally.

Loughborough Town Centre Partnership is planning on using the towns iconic statue as its symbol for new eco carrier bags, posters and window stickers for cars and shops in an attempt to raise the towns profile and increase trade.

Adrian McInnes, chairman of Loughborough Town Centre Partnership, said: Its a campaign to get people shopping in town and buy things locally. We decided to use the Sockman because a lot of people associate Loughborough with it straight away.

Were hoping as many retailers as possible will join us on this. Im hoping to be able to approve the imagery and place orders this week; more details and the launch date will be released shortly.

Another campaign being worked on at the moment to help trade is putting posters in Loughboroughs empty shop windows to make them look more attractive.

A committee which has been formed, involving Charnwood Borough Council, Charnwood Arts, the Chamber of Commerce and Loughborough Town Centre Partnership, was due to meet this week.

Speaking at last weeks community and partnership meeting, where he told councillors 74 per cent of local businesses reported increased sales over Christmas, Mr McInness said he hoped the campaigns would help areas like Baxtergate, which is in desperate need of development.

He said: We are not complacent, we are in difficult times, he said. Yes we had a good Christmas but we need to carry on doing things, such as these campaigns.